Advanced Higher Modern Studies - Inequalities in Health Introduction

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Inequalities in Health
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When the NHS was set up in 1948, one of its
founding principles was to provide a universal
health care service.

• Everybody, irrespective of means, age, sex or
  occupation shall have the opportunity to benefit
  from the best and most up-to-date medical
  services available (Beveridge)
• In other words, a clear commitment to provide a
  service of equal quality for everyone.

Mothers-to-be in deprived areas are more likely
to have premature babies. Home care lottery
for the elderly.
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..57 years on
Despite the advances in medical care and
technology and a universal system of health care
there is growing evidence that
inequalities in health still exist throughout the
UK
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Factors which influence health

• Different groups and categories of people have
  very different experiences of these determinants
  of health.
• These different experiences can have an effect on
  a persons chances of achieving good health. Also
  when these experiences overlap, they can have a
  snowballing effect.
• However, the problem is complex - there is no
  simple explanation as to why differences in
  mortality rates and morbidity rates exist amongst
  individuals or groups.

Morbidity illness
Mortality death
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Factors which influence health
There are many influences on an individuals
health.